Professional amateur or beginner???

[szuzu1969]

I am actually wondering what criteria people use for determining whether they are a professional or not.Some people say that since they have bought a pro camera they are going to open a business. Then I see advice given by wedding photographers, portrait photographers and product photographers. I then go to their sites. I look at their portfolio and some are very nice. I look to see what kind of education they have and there is nothing but a reference to how they have always loved photography, or they may have studied it in high school, or something similar. But I rarely see anyone posting that has an education in art or photography or a statement of apprenticeship being completed and with who. So is it education, experience, apprenticeship, or body of work that determines the level of professionalism to you?

[theosus]

Originally Posted by szuzu1969

I am actually wondering what criteria people use for determining whether they are a professional or not. So is it education, experience, apprenticeship, or body of work that determines the level of professionalism to you?

To me a beginner is someone who - never having owned a camera before, goes out and buys one. An amateur is someone who has used the camera for a while and through either formal, informal education, or trial and error, can get past the auto function. I would throw in semi-pro - and advanced amateur who sometimes sells images, either through stock photo sites, doing work for friends and family, etc. A professional is someone who pays the rent with pictures. education and experience are helpful - but if they are good enough to make a living, they are a pro. But that's just me.

[scootermcq]

I personally hate the term professional....

I guess to quantify, like anything else.. if you make money at it you are a professional (think athlete), if you do it for fun you are an hobbiest.

[TheDarkReaver]

definition of professional from Oxford Dictionaries Online

professional

...engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as an amateur...

...a person engaged in a specified activity, especially a sport, as a main paid occupation rather than as a pastime...

This has cropped up before and I still can't fathom how there can actually be a debate on the subject as it is such an established term. A professional is someone who makes their income from what they do. You can, as an amateur, act professionally or produce professional quality work, but you are not a professional.

definition of amateur from Oxford Dictionaries Online

amateur

a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid basis

[andyw]

Originally Posted by szuzu1969

I am actually wondering what criteria people use for determining whether they are a professional or not.Some people say that since they have bought a pro camera they are going to open a business. Then I see advice given by wedding photographers, portrait photographers and product photographers. I then go to their sites. I look at their portfolio and some are very nice. I look to see what kind of education they have and there is nothing but a reference to how they have always loved photography, or they may have studied it in high school, or something similar. But I rarely see anyone posting that has an education in art or photography or a statement of apprenticeship being completed and with who. So is it education, experience, apprenticeship, or body of work that determines the level of professionalism to you?

It is whether you make the majority of your income from photography which determines whether you are a professional photographer or not. End off.

There are no forman qualifications required for most genres of photography and probably 85% of the pros I know did not attend university/college to study photography but rather did something else such as business or the like. Photography often came later in life.

There are a lot of photographers around - more in the fashion and advertising world who may have taken a fashion, art or media studies degree and if they wanted to go into photography a lot then spent time as assistants learning the business side.

The vast majority of photographers are hired on their reputation as a photographer or are judged by their last body of work.


Professionalism and being a professional are different things as far as I am concerned.

[szuzu1969]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

definition of professional from Oxford Dictionaries Online



This has cropped up before and I still can't fathom how there can actually be a debate on the subject as it is such an established term. A professional is someone who makes their income from what they do. You can, as an amateur, act professionally or produce professional quality work, but you are not a professional.

definition of amateur from Oxford Dictionaries Online

Interesting how that could keep happening on this site. I wonder why everyone would be so caught up on what professional is.

[nickbedford]

I think people also take the "pro" less easily than "professional"?

[rosserx]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

definition of professional from Oxford Dictionaries Online

This has cropped up before and I still can't fathom how there can actually be a debate on the subject as it is such an established term. A professional is someone who makes their income from what they do. You can, as an amateur, act professionally or produce professional quality work, but you are not a professional.

definition of amateur from Oxford Dictionaries Online

Ah cool...I guess by definition that makes me a professional graphic designer and amateur photographer

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by rosserx

Ah cool...I guess by definition that makes me a professional graphic designer and amateur photographer

That makes me a professional office worker and amateur graphic designer, web developer, photographer and musician

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by nickbedford

That makes me a professional office worker and amateur graphic designer, web developer, photographer and musician

but the 18 year old kid in Walmart who just clicks the button...

...that guy is a professional photographer.